How to boil corn on the cob is one of the easiest methods for cooking corn cob. With just a few simple steps you'll have tender, juicy corn in just minutes!
Boiling corn on the cob is a quick and easy way to bring out its natural sweetness and flavor. Its crisp texture adds a satisfying bite that pairs well with slathered butter, herbs or seasonings. Corn on the cob is a great side dish with many meals and barbecue picnics.
The Best Way to Cook Corn
We think the best way to cook corn is by boiling it. Boiling corn on the cob is foolproof and delivers a perfectly tender and juicy bite every time. You can also infuse flavor into the corn while its boiling by simply adding sugar or herbs to the water. Avoid adding salt to the water, which can lead to tough kernels.
Ingredients
It may be silly to list the ingredients here, because all you need is simply the ears of corn and water. If you plan to add other flavors, then make sure you have those ingredients to mix into the water. But, we typically just season with salt and butter after the corn is cooked.
How to Boil Corn on the Cob
With hardly any prep, you can have perfectly boiled corn on the cob within minutes. The longest part is waiting for the water to boil! Here is how to boil corn on the cob:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add ears of corn (husks and silk removed).
- Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
How Long to Boil Corn
The cook time really depends on the size of the corn cobs. We usually find 5 to 7 minutes results in a tender crispy kernel. For smaller ears, you may want to pull those babies from the water at 3 to 4 minutes. If the kernels start showing signs of wrinkles, you're cooking them too long.
Shuck the Corn
Before boiling corn, you need to shuck the corn. This basically means removing the husks and silk. You can run the corn cobs under cold water to help remove some of the silk, but don't worry if there are a few strands left. They'll fall off in the hot boiling water!
How to Serve Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is such a versatile side dish. My kids love chomping directly on the cobs, while I use a knife to cut the kernels from the cob. Leftover kernels can be added to salads, soups or used in dip recipes.
More Corn Recipes
- Corn Casserole
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
- Cheesy Cold Corn Dip
- Fiesta Corn Salad
- Slow Cooker Cream Corn
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Photos by Lindsay Evers Photography
Recipe Card
How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn , shucked
- 4 quarts water
- butter and salt , to taste
Instructions
- Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add corn, cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. (3 to 5 minutes for smaller corn cobs.)
- Drain, season and serve.
Notes
- Try splashing corn cob with fresh lime juice and salt, instead of butter.
- Add 1 teaspoon sugar to the pot of water to retain more sweetness.
- Use leftover corn for salads, soups, casseroles, etc.
- Make street corn
- Nutrition information is an estimate only, and does not include the butter or seasonings.
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